Barbara and Elizabeth will be working with Martha MacDonald-Fennessy beginning in October. She is a nurse-practitioner who can help us with prenatal visits and gyn care, while Barbara and Elizabeth will continue to attend the births. We anticipate that Martha will be working with us one day a week, and for the first couple of months she will be observing only. Then she will be providing the care under the direct supervision of one of the midwives for a while before "going solo." She will also work part-time doing gyn visits for the docs we share office space with, Deborah Ottenheimer and Jaana Rehnstrom.
Martha is hardly a stranger to CBS Midwifery. Barbara delivered her first daughter 23 years ago, and she has remained a client ever since. We have gotten to know her well over these years, and have been proud to observe her progress to her Master's degree as a nurse-practitioner. She is smart, warm, witty, and compassionate. She has the practical experience of a mother of 5 and the professional experience of a nurse in obstetrics and pediatrics for many years. We are excited to have her as a colleague and look forward to introducing her to our patients.
We have taken this step so that we will have a little more flexibility with the midwives' hours. Elizabeth just celebrated her parents' 80th birthdays this summer; Barbara's parents are 85. It seems inevitable that we will need more time for our families in the upcoming years. If one of the midwives is called home, the other will of necessity have to assume responsibility for all the births. It will be great to have Martha to step in and help with office hours in such a situation.
We hope you will join us in extending a warm welcome to Martha MacDonald-Fennessy!
Martha MacDonald-Fennessy grew up in Elma, New York, a small town outside of Buffalo. After obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Nursing, she worked in obstetrics, labor and delivery, and most recently in pediatrics. She is a certified Childbirth Educator. Three years ago she enrolled in the Master's program at Pace University to fulfill her dream of becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner.
Martha writes, "Barbara delivered my 5 children: Caitlin, Meredith, Brianne, Conor, and Aidan. Each of my birth experiences empowered me, and I wanted to share that empowerment with other women. I know that my life experience as a mother and a nurse will positively impact my role as a Family Nurse Practitioner in Women's Health. I look forward to meeting each of you and working with Barbara and Elizabeth."
Somehow Martha finds time to run, read, and ski; she enjoys traveling and spending time with her children, husband, family, and friends.
CBS Travelogue
You all know how much the midwives savor their vacation time. Barbara's latest vacation was a week in London, 8/10 -8/17, with her sister Daphne and her grandkids Kendall and Kieran. “We stayed in a great new, modern hostel in central London to save money (the pound is expensive!) and had a wonderful time. Kieran loved the gory tales told by the Beefeater guide at the Tower of London. Kendall was wowed by the Crown Jewels. We all thrilled at our "flight" on the huge ferris wheel, the London Eye.
We took a guided bike tour of London, marveled at the Tate Modern museum, and climbed to the top of St. Paul's Cathedral (yes, I did all 562 steps up and 562 steps down). Here's a photo of us at Hampton Court Palace.”
Elizabeth’s Travels this year:
My summer vacation this year was more sedate than usual---I went on a ten day silent meditation retreat in Massachusetts. And yes, I stayed for the whole time AND kept my mouth shut! It was very interesting and very intense. I got a lot out of it; now have to find time in my life to meditate between work, yoga, and tango! Still dancing, I will head to Boston for the Tango de Los Muertos festival on Halloween weekend, and Providence, RI for New Years.
As if all that weren't enough, I'm starting Turkish language classes in October. I traveled to Turkey 2 years ago but stayed inland. I plan to return in 2 years to explore the coast and celebrate a big birthday in style and, I hope, with a degree of fluency!
I headed south to North Carolina this summer, celebrating first Mom then Dad’s 80th birthdays! They're both going strong—Mom does power yoga and lifts weights at Gold's gym; Dad's out on the golf course most days----with their busy lives my sisters and I were lucky they had time to fit us in! It had been a while since the whole family got together, and we had a blast going over old times.
I join Barbara in welcoming Martha MacDonald Fennessy to CBS! Along with all of you, I look forward to meeting and greeting her as she begins 'sitting in' on visits in October. All the best to you and yours as the weather cools down and the holidays approach! Keep in touch and let us know how life goes.
CBS Midwifery cited for Low Induction Rate
Congratulations! After analyzing the 2008 benchmarking data, you have earned
the distinction of best practice for the lowest pitocin induction of labor rate.
There are 3 practices that have this distinction representing the 3 categories
of practices: low, medium and high volume practices. I have include one
additional practice, because the rate was very close to the other in that
category.
I would like the opportunity to speak with you about your practice. I am
interested in knowing what thoughts you have about why your practice has such a
low CS rate. If you would be willing to share your thoughts, please email me
with your availability to talk by phone this week or early next week.
Thanks so much and congratulations!
Laurie Jurkiewicz, CNM
ACNM Quality Management Section Chair
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